Ifẹ

Ifẹ̀, also called Ilé-Ifẹ̀, is an ancient city in south-western Nigeria. It was founded sometime between the years 1000 BC and 500 BC. By around 900 AD, it had become a very important place for trade and creating beautiful art.

The city is located in today’s Osun State, about 218 kilometers northeast of Lagos. It is the biggest city in Osun State, with over 500,000 people living there.

According to Yoruba beliefs, Ilé-Ifẹ̀ was created by the Supreme Deity Olódùmarè and then given to Oduduwa, who started a royal family there. Many other kingdoms in Yorubaland were ruled by Oduduwa’s descendants. The city is also known as the home of 401 deities, and people celebrate them in many festivals.

Ilé-Ifẹ̀ is famous for its very old and natural-looking bronze, stone, and terracotta sculptures made between 1200 and 1400 CE. The ruler of Ifẹ̀ today is Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, who has been the leader since 2015.

History

Main article: Timeline of Yoruba history

Main article: Oke Ora

Further information: Ife Empire

In the beliefs of the Yoruba people, the world was created by a god named Olodumare. He asked another important spirit, Obatala, to help make the earth. But Obatala got lost and drank too much palm wine before he could finish. Another spirit named Oduduwa took over and created the first piece of land called Oke Ora. From this land grew the first city, Ile-Ife, which means "The Land of Expansion."

Oduduwa had many children who went on to start their own kingdoms and empires, such as Ila Orangun, Owu, Ketu, Sabe, Egba, and Oyo. One of his sons, Oranmiyan, helped rule a place called Benin before returning home. He left behind a child who later became an important leader in Benin. Oranmiyan also helped start the Oyo Empire, which grew to become one of Africa's most powerful states.

Traditional setting

The Oòni, or king, of Ife is a very important leader in the Yoruba culture. He is seen as both a spiritual and political leader for the Yoruba people. The current Ooni is Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), who began his rule in 2015. In the past, the king's palace was beautifully decorated, but today it looks more modern.

Ife is famous for its many festivals celebrating different deities, or spirits, that are important to the people there. These festivals often include special events and performances. The city is also well-known for its ancient art, especially bronze, stone, and terracotta sculptures. These artworks show kings and gods with large heads because the people believed that a person's power was located in the head. The artists of Ife created detailed and lifelike sculptures, many of which were made under the support of a king named Obalufon II. Their art has influenced many places far away, even as far as Mali, Mauritania, and Ghana.

Shrines, altars, and temples

Igbo Olokun used to be a sacred forest where people honored the goddess Olokun. In this place in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, people made special glass beads using unique methods. Excavations found glass beads and tools there, showing that glass-making happened between the 11th and 15th centuries AD. This place might be one of the earliest glass workshops in West Africa.

The Oduduwa Shrine and Grove is a special place for the Yoruba people to honor their ancestor. Many people visit here to ask for blessings.

The Agbonniregun Temple is a sacred grove for Ọrunmila, the Orisha of wisdom and knowledge. People believe he understands humans very well and can help with important decisions.

Archaeology

Burnt pipes, stone tools, broken calabashes, decorated potsherds, and pottery were found at Iyekere. Iron smelting, charcoal used in smelting, and iron slags were also discovered.

Iron smelting happened in the Ife region. The process produced a high amount of iron, with ore grades near 80 percent iron oxide. More digging is needed to know the exact age of the smelting site, but it likely dates back to the Late Iron Age.

Igbo Olokun, also called Olokun Grove, might be one of the earliest places for making glass in West Africa. Glass production may have started as early as the 11th century and peaked between the 11th and 15th centuries. Different types of glass were made using local recipes, raw materials, and technology. Glass beads found across West Africa show the importance of this industry and the region's involvement in trade networks. These beads were used to show political power, economic relations, and cultural values for the Yoruba and others.

Government

The main city of Ife is split into two parts called local government areas. These parts are Ife East, with its center at Oke-ogbo, and Ife Central, located in the Ajebandele area of the city. Together, these areas have 21 political sections called wards. The city is home to about 355,813 people.

Geography

Ile-Ife is found between latitudes 7°28′N and 7°45′N and longitudes 4°30′E and 4°34′E. It is a rural area where many people work in agriculture. The land has gentle ups and downs and is made up of metamorphic rocks. There are two types of soil: deep clay soils on higher ground and sandy soils on lower ground.

Ile-Ife lies within the tropical savanna climate zone of West Africa. It gets about 1,000 to 1,250 mm (39 to 49 inches) of rain each year, mostly from March through October. The air is usually very humid, between 75% and 100%. The city is east of Ibadan and can be reached by the Ife-Ibadan highway. It is also about 40 km (25 miles) from Osogbo and has roads connecting to other cities like Ede, Ondo, and Ilesha. The Opa river and its reservoir provide water for the OAU college.

Climate

In Ifẹ̀, the dry season is warm and partly cloudy, with temperatures staying high all year. The wet season feels heavy and overcast. The temperature usually stays between 19°C and 34°C, almost never dropping below 16°C or going above 37°C.

From January to April, the weather is very warm, with March being the hottest month. August is the coolest month. The sky changes a lot through the year. December has the clearest skies, while April tends to be quite cloudy. Rain is most common from April to October, with September usually having the most rainy days. The dry season, from late October to early April, has much less rain, especially in December.

Economy

Ifẹ has many interesting places to visit, such as the Natural History Museum of Nigeria. The area is good for farming and grows vegetables, grain, cocoa, tobacco, and cotton. There are also markets like Oja Titun and Odo-gbe market, which have around 1,500 shops.

The main part of Ifẹ, called Ilé Ifẹ, is well developed. Places like Parakin, Eleyele, Modomo, Damico, and Crown Estate Area have modern houses, good roads, electricity, and safety.

Education

Ife is home to several well-known universities, including Obafemi Awolowo University, formerly called the University of Ife, and Oduduwa University.

The city also has notable schools such as the Seventh Day Adventist Grammar School, Ile-Ife, Oduduwa College, and Moremi High School, all of which have been around for over 30 years.

Notable people

Some well-known people from Ifẹ̀ include:

• Adesoji Aderemi (1889-1980), who was the 49th Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀
• Dele Momodu (born 1960), a journalist
• Tunde Odunlade (born 1954), an artist and musician
• Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (born 1974), the 51st Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀
• Femi Fani-Kayode (born 1960), a politician, writer, and lawyer
• Iyiola Omisore (born 1957), a businessman and politician
• Chief Remi Adetokunboh Fani-Kayode, a lawyer
• Alayeluwa Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II (1930–2015), the 50th Ọọ̀ni of Ifẹ̀